Generic Topamax: An Overview
Brand-name Topamax is made by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics. However, the first patent for this medication has expired, and generic versions of
Topamax tablets and capsules are now available.
Strengths of Generic Topamax
Generic Topamax tablets are available in the following strengths:
- Topiramate 25 mg
- Topiramate 50 mg
- Topiramate 100 mg
- Topiramate 200 mg.
- Topiramate 15 mg
- Topiramate 25 mg.
Several different manufacturers make generic Topamax, including (but not limited to):
- Apotex Corporation
- Aurobindo Pharma
- Mylan Pharmaceuticals
- Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Roxane Laboratories, Inc.
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Is Generic Topiramate as Good as Topamax?
All generic medications must undergo certain tests to compare them to brand-name medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) then looks at these tests to decide if the generics are equivalent to the brand-name medications and assigns each generic a rating. An "AB" rating means that the FDA has determined that a generic medication is equivalent to a brand-name medication. All of the generic topiramate versions currently available have an "AB" rating, meaning they should be equivalent to Topamax.
However, generic medications are allowed to have different inactive ingredients than the brand-name medication. This might include fillers or dyes or other ingredients that may cause problems for people with
allergies or sensitivities. It should also be noted that many healthcare providers believe that special care should be taken when switching a patient from a brand-name
seizure medication to a generic one. For this reason, you may want to check with your healthcare provider before switching to a generic version of Topamax.
